7 killed in clash between police, suspected rebels in southern Philippines
Philippines army soldiers ride in trucks into the fighting zone as government troops continue their assault against insurgents from the Maute group in Marawi City, Philippines June 28, 2017. REUTERS / File
Six policemen, including a town police chief, and a civilian were killed in two ambushes staged by suspected New People's Army rebels in southern Philippines, Friday, China's Xinhua news agency reported the military, as saying.
The first ambush, staged in barangay Magsaysay in Guihulngan town in the province of Negros Oriental, targetted town councilor Edison Delarita, said Capt. Ruel Llanes, spokesman of the Army's 303rd Brigade.
Delarita was on the way to his office when the armed group waylaid him and his driver, Michael Jambalus, who ended up dead.
Delarita survived the attack unscathed and was able to call for police help.
Llanes said policemen promptly responded and were also ambushed by the same armed group in the same area, leading to the death of six policemen and wounding of three others.
The slain policemen included Guihulngan police chief Supt. Arnel Arpon, said Llanes.
Llanes said troops from the Army's 79th Infantry Battalion, augmented by armored assets, have been deployed to pursue the perpetrators.
-- BERNAMA
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